ARKive
Opposable Thumbs
How do opposable thumbs help you complete certain tasks? An activity about evolutionary traits prompts learners to try writing their name, twist the lid off of a jar, and use tweezers to pick up a straw, first with their normal grip, and...
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From Wolf to Dog
Learners explain how dogs evolved from wolves based on the video. In this biology lesson, students research about breeding animals for specific traits. They interview dog owners and create a presentation about the dog.
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Why Do We Need Vitamin C in Our Diet?
Students compare/contrast the DNA sequence data of the rat GULO gene to the inactive human GULO gene. They translate and align the sequences, and propose a scenario to explain the occurrence of an inactive DNA sequence to that of an...
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Family Life in the Federal Period
Eleventh graders explore the evolution of a small New England town, Deerfield families and diversity of jobs in a town. They also explore how families functioned and how the roles of women changed.
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The Wonders of Bacteria
Young scholars explore the evolution and features of bacteria through a series of activities. In this biology lesson, students collect data and graph bacterial growth. They design a brochure about bacteria's role in society.
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From Genes to Memes
High schoolers explore changes in evolution. In this evolution instructional activity, students define genes and memes. High schoolers read an article to recognize the difference between genes and memes. Students explain what a...
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Why Cladistics?
Students explore how biological classification is intimately associated with evolution.
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Show Me a Flowerpot
Students compare and contrast handmade and machine-made products in a study about the evolution of production processes in American history. In this production history lesson, students explore a flowerpot in depth. Students make their...
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Disease and Epidemics
Students explore how the study of diseases, epidemics and disease management offers opportunities for exploration of biological evolution, immune systems, interaction between humans and their environment, and interaction among organisms....
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Species Diversity and Phylogeny
Students explore the classification system of organisms: taxonomy. They examine prepared slides of Protozoans and record information on a Taxonomy Recording Sheet. Two additional classifying activities are also included in this lesson.
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Genetics: Mice Rule! (Or Not)
Pupils explore genetics and evolution by examining a hypothetical mouse population. Using coin tosses, they determine mouse traits of parents and offspring. Finally, they consider the outcomes of changing environmental conditions on...
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Pseudogene Suite
Learners use Biology Workbench to explore DNA sequence data for the GULOP gene in humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and crab-eating macaques and the beta globin gene and its pseduogene in humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.
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It's Time to Make Time!
Students explore the evolution of time measurement, and explain the relationship of sunrise/sunset to length of daylight. They collect data and calculations to determine length of daylight during a given day.
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Globalization and the Standardization of Identity
Students analyze art of changing identities of cities and populations. In this art analysis instructional activity, students analyze the works of art that address constructions of identity in a consumer society. Students explore the role...
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Breaking News! Hopi-Spanish Relations
Middle schoolers explore early contact between the Hopi and Spaniards. In this social studies lesson, students research the establishment of Spanish missions on Hopi lands and the influences of the Spanish on Hopi culture. Middle...
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Dinosaurs - Physical Characteristics
Pupils describe the physical characteristics of dinosaurs, compare and contrast the evolution of land, and they explore the extinction of dinosaurs.
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The Roman Calendar: The Fabric of Our Time
Fourth graders explore the Roman origins and evolution of our calendar.
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Promoting Diversity in Elementary School Curricula
Young scholars discover the roles played by various racial, ethnic and religious groups in the development of American society. They explore the concept of racial and cultural diversity and global community, as these are joined by...
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Observations & Chemical Reactions
Young scholars conduct a series of experiments in which they explore chemical reactions. They detect chemical changes by observing how physical properties change when two different chemicals are combined. They list and describe the...
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Fossils and Geologic Time
Students explore the development of the geologic time scale. They examine the major time periods in earth's history. Students discuss the role fossils play in helping us understand history.
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Who Am I?
Students explore study different mathematicians. In this mathematician lesson, students research twelve mathematicians. Students question one another to guess who their mathematician is. Students create a timeline of big events in math.
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The Birth of a Rocky Mountain City and Railroad: Georgetown and the Loop Railroad
Students explore the evolution of a town. In this social studies lesson, students discuss why Georgetown and the Georgetown Loop Railroad were developed and discuss life as a prospector. Students write a letter explaining what life is...
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China: One Nation: Two Futures
Tenth graders explore the evolution of Chinese communism to its present export-driven economy. Working in groups, they examine various articles about reforms in Chinese society. They write essays about the impact of political reform on...
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Troical Atlantic Aerosols
Learners explore the effect aerosols have upon he weather and climate. They observe NASA satellite images to explore and draw conclusions about aerosol transport. From studying the images, students track the path of aerosols. They...